Declarative specification of data integraton workflows for execution on parallel processing platforms

ABSTRACT

A method for receiving a declarative specification including a plurality of stages. Each stage specifies an atomic operation, a data input to the atomic operation, and a data output from the atomic operation. The data input is characterized by a data type. Links between at least two of the stages are generated to create a data integration workflow. The data integration workflow is compiled to generate computer code for execution on a parallel processing platform. The computer code configured to perform at least one of data preparation and data analysis.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to computer systems, and more specificallyto declarative specification of data integration workflows for executionon parallel processing platforms.

MapReduce is an example of a software framework that is utilized todefine and execute data integration workflows on parallel processingplatforms. MapReduce is utilized for processing large datasets to solvecertain kinds of distributable problems using a large number ofcomputers, collectively referred to as a cluster if all nodes use thesame hardware or as a grid if the nodes use different hardware.Computational processing occurs on data stored either in a filesystem(unstructured) or within a database (structured). A map step in aMapReduce framework includes a master node receiving input, partitioningthe input up into smaller sub-problems, and distributing the smallersub-problems to slave nodes. A reduce step in a MapReduce frameworkoccurs when the answers of a group of sub-problems are combined in someway to get the output (i.e., the answer to the problem that it wasoriginally trying to solve).

An example of a MapReduce framework is Hadoop, which includes aprogramming model and an associated implementation for processing largedata sets. Users specify a map function that processes a key/value pairto generate a set of intermediate key/value pairs, and a reduce functionthat merges the set of intermediate values associated with the sameintermediate key. An advantage of using a MapReduce framework is that itallows for distributed processing of the map and reduce operations.Mapping operations are independent of each other, and thus, at times allof the map functions are performed in parallel, although in practicethis is often limited by the data source and/or the number of centralprocessing units (CPUs). MapReduce is used by very large server farms tosort through petabytes of data in a relatively short period of time. Theparallelism supported by MapReduce also allows for recovering from thepartial failure of servers or storage during the operation. For example,if one mapper or reducer fails, the work is rescheduled (assuming thatthe input data is still available).

SUMMARY

According to exemplary embodiments, a method, computer program product,and system for receiving a declarative specification that includes aplurality of stages. Each stage specifies an atomic operation, a datainput to the atomic operation, and a data output from the atomicoperation. The data inputs are characterized by a data type. Linksbetween at least two of the stages are generated to create a dataintegration workflow. The data integration workflow is compiled togenerate computer code for execution on a parallel processing platform.The computer code is configured to perform at least one of datapreparation and data analysis.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the inventionare described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimedinvention. For a better understanding of the invention with theadvantages and the features, refer to the description and to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cloud computing node according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cloud computing environment according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates abstraction model layers according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates different types of data sources and types of datathat may be integrated in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a process performed by a MapReduceframework in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a data integration workflow having a plurality ofstages and links in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example data integration workflow for implementinga filter process in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for creating andexecuting a data integration workflow in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment is a simplified and easy to use method of building dataintegration workflows for use in performing data analytics on largevolumes of data. A data integration workflow, which is compiled andexecuted on a parallel processing platform, is built using atomic stagesand links between the atomic stages. The data integration workflow asdescribed herein is defined by a user in a visual declarative manner viaa graphical user interface screen. The resulting data integrationworkflow is automatically compiled into computer code for execution on aparallel processing platform to prepare the data for analysis and/or toperform data analysis. As used herein, the term “parallel processingplatform” refers to a processor(s) where a plurality of calculations arecarried out simultaneously.

MapReduce is used herein as an example of a software framework that mayis used to define and execute data integration workflows on a parallelprocessing platform. It should be understood that embodiments are notlimited to the MapReduce framework and that any software framework thatprovides data integration workflows for execution on parallel processingplatforms may be utilized.

Contemporary map and reduce programs in a MapReduce framework arewritten in programming languages such as, but not limited to Java andPython, or in scripting languages such as, but not limited to Pig, Hiveand Jaql. Thus, computer programming skill is required to writecontemporary map and reduce programs for execution on a MapReduceplatform. In contrast, exemplary embodiments described herein, providemap and reduce programs for execution on a MapReduce platform that arewritten as declarative specifications (e.g., using a graphical userinterface) that allow a user without computer programming skills togenerate MapReduce applications that comply with the MapReduceframework.

Data analytics for extracting business insights, by integratingdifferent kinds of massive amounts of data, is becoming widespread,however building analytics applications is notoriously difficult due torequired expertise in statistics, machine learning, data management,graph theory, algorithms, systems and parallel processing. Typicalbusiness analysts and system analysts do not have these skills and thisgap often results in inconsistencies in the analysis and implementation,induces delays, and sometimes even results in important businessinsights being missed. These skill gap issues are minimized by providinga tool for building data integration workflows that allows for ease ofanalytics extraction so that typical business users can represent therequired operations in a simple, easy to use, visual manner.

As the complexity of the data integration workflows increases, thedevelopment, debugging, and maintenance of data integration workflowsbecomes a bigger challenge. The ability to write data integrationworkflows as a sequence of atomic stages, as provided by embodimentsdescribed herein, reduces the complexity of the development, debugging,and maintenance of data integration workflows.

A data integration workflow process may be performed in a cloudcomputing environment. It is understood in advance that although thisdisclosure includes a detailed description on cloud computing,implementation of the teachings recited herein are not limited to acloud computing environment. Rather, embodiments of the presentinvention are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any othertype of computing environment now known or later developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes, in oneexample IBM® zSeries® systems; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)architecture based servers, in one example IBM pSeries® systems; IBMxSeries® systems; IBM BladeCenter® systems; storage devices; networksand networking components. Examples of software components includenetwork application server software, in one example IBM WebSphere®application server software; and database software, in one example IBMDB2® database software. (IBM, zSeries, pSeries, xSeries, BladeCenter,WebSphere, and DB2 are trademarks of International Business MachinesCorporation registered in many jurisdictions worldwide).

Virtualization layer 62 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients.

In one example, management layer 64 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning provides dynamic procurement of computingresources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks withinthe cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing provide costtracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computingenvironment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management providescloud computing resource allocation and management such that requiredservice levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning andfulfillment provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated inaccordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 66 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation; software development and lifecycle management; virtualclassroom education delivery; data analytics processing; transactionprocessing; and data integration workflow processing.

In one exemplary embodiment, a data integration workflow application 70in the workloads layer 66 implements the column based data integrationworkflow processes described herein; however, it will be understood thatthe data integration workflow application 70 may be implemented in anylayer.

The data integration workflow application 70 includes a user interfacethat enables a user or authorized individual to create data integrationworkflows, compile the data integration workflows into MapReduceroutines, to select sources of data to be utilized when the dataintegration workflows are executed, and to initiate execution of theMapReduce routines.

Referring to FIG. 4, an illustration of different data sources anddifferent types of data that may be integrated using a MapReduceframework is generally shown. Structured data 402, semi-structured data404 and unstructured data 406 are extracted from a variety of sourcesand a variety of locations, and then merged together using analyticssuch as auto/cross correlation analytics and predictive analytics. Oneoption for performing the data collection is to use an extract,transform and load (ETL) tool located, for example, in cloud computingenvironment 410. The merged data is stored in a storage device 412 in aformat that is easily accessible by end users, such as businessanalysts, via a user device 414. Feedback/action 408 is then initiatedbased on the results of the analysis. As shown in FIG. 4, the structureddata 402 is characterized by data values being located in set locationsand includes data from any online transaction processing system that isformatted for example, as relational data. The semi-structured data 404has a somewhat predictable pattern and includes data such as clickstream data, location tracking data, vehicle use data, census bureaudata, etc. The unstructured data 406 does not have particular types ofdata in any set locations or patterns and includes data such as textdata from social networking websites.

One example of massive scale data analytics that uses structured data asinput is fraud detection analysis. In fraud detection analysis thenumber of times that a credit card is used at two specified types ofstores is counted, and a range of amounts at each store within a certaintime interval are output. Another example of massive scale dataanalytics is when semi-structured data is input to web analytics. Anexample of web analytics is the extracting of performance indicators,such as the percentage of customers shopping in an on-line store thatselected items for their shopping cart and then left the on-line storewithout purchasing the items in their shopping cart (i.e., they left theon-line store without checking out while the shopping cart wasnon-empty). Other examples of massive scale data analytics includesystem log mining to integrate logs of different types (e.g., WebSphere,DB2, etc.) into a common framework in order to answer queries on thelogs. An example query is “what happened to WebSphere after DB2 gotstarted?”. In addition, text flows may be developed using atomicoperations that involve various information extracting techniques suchas entity identification, relationship extraction, classification,sentiment analysis, etc. As used herein, the term ‘atomic operation”refers to an operation that includes a single operation or severalsub-operations that must be performed as a unit.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow diagram of a process performed by aMapReduce framework is generally shown. The MapReduce framework providesa simple model to write distributed programs to be executed over a largenumber of processors. These distributed programs are referred to hereinas MapReduce applications. The processing shown in FIG. 5 isimplemented, for example, by the data integration workflow application70. As shown in FIG. 5, the data to be analyzed is spread over severaldisks in a first data domain 502.

The map and reduce functions of MapReduce are both defined with respectto data structured in the form of (key, value) pairs. The map functiontakes one pair of data with a type in the first data domain 502 andreturns an array of (key, value) pairs in a second data domain 504. Thisis shown in FIG. 5 as Map (K, V) to [(K′, V′)]. The map function isapplied in parallel to every item in the input dataset. This produces alist of (K′, V′) pairs for each call. Next, the MapReduce frameworkcollects all pairs with the same key from all lists and groups themtogether, thus creating one group for each one of the differentgenerated keys.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reduce function is then applied in parallel toeach group in the second data domain 504, which in turn produces a thirddata domain 506. Contents of the third data domain 506 are shown in FIG.5 as Reduce on (K′, [V′]). The returned results of all reduce instancesare collected as the desired result and stored as a fourth data domain508. Thus, the MapReduce framework as shown in FIG. 5 transforms a listof (key, value) pairs into a list of values. The MapReduce framework isdifferent than a typical functional programming map and reducecombination that accepts a list of arbitrary values and returns onesingle value that combines all of the values returned by map.

Referring to FIG. 6, a data integration workflow having a plurality ofstages 602 and links 606 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is generally shown. A user interface screen, such as display24, displays a sequence of stages 602 and links 606 as shown in FIG. 6and allows the user to edit the data integration workflow (e.g., delete,insert, copy stages 602 and links 606, edit content of stages 602 andlinks 606) via a graphical user interface. The user interface screen isa touch screen or alternatively, user selection is made using aselection device such as a mouse.

Input data is received into a first sequential stage 602 and output data608 is output from the last stage 602 in the sequence. In addition, thedata output of a stage 602 becomes the data input of the next stage 602in the sequence. The data integration workflow shown in FIG. 6 isvisually designed using atomic stages 602 and links 606. Each stage 602performs an atomic operation on input data to produce output data. Inmost cases, the data input to each stage 602 is of a particular type(structured, semi-structured, or unstructured), however embodimentsdescribed herein support inputs of multiple types into a stage 602. Inaddition, different stages 602 are capable of processing different typesof data in the data integration workflow. The stages 602 are attachedtogether using links 606. Each link 606 has a schema definition flowingthrough it. The schema definition is characterized as either strict (forstructured data) or loose (e.g., only specifies a data type such as“string” for unstructured text). The output schema of a stage 602 is aninput schema for the next stage 602. In an embodiment, when the schemais a loose schema, only the properties or part of schema that arerequired at the output are defined and the other properties are hidden.

Stages 602 that receive structured data as input perform operations suchas, but not limited to: select, join, and aggregate, Stages 602 thatreceive semi-structured hierarchical data as input perform operationssuch as, but not limited to: restructuring (promoting child as sibling,demoting sibling as child), expanding (creating an array of values of aparticular attribute and putting it as child in the tree), as well asthe operations performed when the input data is structured. Stages 602that receive unstructured text data as input perform operations such as,but not limited to: classifying text (output schema may have the inputtext along with its class), extracting particular kinds of entities fromtext (output schema may have an array of person names and phonenumbers), and sentiment detection (image categorization, videofiltering, etc.).

An example data integration workflow for implementing a filter processin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is generallyshown in FIG. 7. The input to the first stage 704 is structured datathat includes the “from”, “to”, and “message” fields from emails. Aphone number corresponding to a name in the “from” field is looked up ina look-up table at stage 704. If the phone number is not found in thelook-up table, stage 706 is performed to attempt to retrieve the phonenumber in another way using unstructured data. A rule based annotatormay be used to extract the phone numbers from natural language data. Anexample of a rule used by the rule based annotator is: three digitsfollowed by a dash that is followed by seven digits indicates a phonenumber. The output from stages 704 and 706 are a sequence/array of phonenumbers. These phone numbers are input to stage 708, where phone numbersof customers from a particular area (say, “Vasant kunj”), are filtered.The emails corresponding to “Vasant kunj” phone numbers are sent tostage 710 where sentiments are extracted from the message field(unstructured data) and a sentiment field is updated with a positive ora negative. Emails with a sentiment field containing a negative arefiltered at stage 712 and then output 714. This example is intended toshow one example of a data integration workflow that may be generated byan exemplary embodiment, and as such it is not intended to be limiting.

A data integration workflow, such as the one shown in FIG. 7, is builtusing a series of operators connected using input-output (I/O)relationships. The workflow may be built visually (e.g., by a user at auser input screen) using stages, representing operators, and links torepresent the I/O relationships. For building the workflow visually, atool is used to provide a pallet of stages and links. A user selectsstages from the pallet and puts them into a canvass (e.g., an inputscreen such as display 24 that displays where a user can pick and dropand draw). These stages are then joined using links from the pallet, andproperties of the stages and links are specified by the user.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram of a process for creating andexecuting a data integration workflow in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention is generally shown. A declarative specificationthat includes a sequence of stages is written by a user (e.g., abusiness analyst) at block 802. Each stage specifies an atomicoperation, a data input, and a data output. Links are added between thestages to create a data integration workflow at block 804. Processingcontinues at block 806 where the data integration workflow (includingthe links and the stages) is compiled into a MapReduce routine.Compilation involves converting a visual job over mixed data into one ormore MapReduce programs. The compilation is performed by converting eachstage into a corresponding MapReduce application and using the links todefine the I/O relationships between the stages. Alternatively,compilation is performed by converting the visual flow into a script ina scripting language (e.g., Jaql), which in turn is compiled into one ormore MapReduce programs. Processing completes at block 808 when theMapReduce routine is executed.

A declarative specification of a data processing job on a parallelprocessing platform is used to generate the data integration workflows.As used herein, the term “declarative specification” refers to the userspecifying (declaring) the operations that need to be performed by theMapReduce programs rather than describing how the operations need to beperformed using the MapReduce programs. The declarative specificationmay use operators in a visual manner. In addition, the job supportsprocessing being performed on multiple types of data (mixed dataprocessing), including, but not limited to: structured, semi-structured,and unstructured data. Further, the job may be specified as a cascade ofatomic operators, including, text processing operators. The atomicoperator also optionally includes machine learning operators. In anembodiment, the parallel processing platform is Hadoop.

The translating of the declarative specification into a lower levellanguage includes executing operators as lower level language primitivesand library functions. Examples of a lower level language include JAQLquery language and Java MapReduce programs. The translation ofdeclarative also includes compilation of the job. The compilation may beperformed by traversing the job, where the job is made up of nodes (orstages) and edges. Stages are defined such that each stage results inone atomic operation. Atomicity of the operation depends on thespecificity of the types of jobs being designed.

Data integration involving different types of data in a single workflowincludes writing a data integration workflow (also referred to herein asa “job”) as a sequence of stages each representing atomic operation onone or more types of data. In addition, loose hierarchical schemas arewritten for various stages of the data integration workflow. The job iscompiled into a MapReduce routine either directly or indirectly throughsome other language/data model. The generated MapReduce routines arethen executed over Hadoop or any other distributed processing system.

Methods for representing unstructured text processing as a series ofatomic operations include writing an unstructured data integrationworkflow as a series of atomic operations such as entity identification,classification, sentiment detection, etc. Each atomic operation isrepresented as a stage and stages are connected using links based ontheir input-output relationships. The data integration workflow isconfigured into a MapReduce routine either directly or indirectlythrough some other language/data model. The generated MapReduce routinesare then executed over Hadoop or any other distributed processingsystem.

The map reduce routines are optimized to generate map reduce routineswith an optimum number of mappers and reducers. Any MapReduce programcan be run as a number of map and reduce instances based on, forexample, the data size and the computing capabilities. By optimallysetting the number of map and reduce instances the resource consumptionand time taken to execute a job is reduced.

Technical effects and benefits include the ability to write dataintegration workflows as a sequence of atomic stages, which leads to areduction in the complexity of data integration workflows.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of onemore other features, integers, steps, operations, element components,and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The flow diagrams depicted herein are just one example. There may bemany variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) describedtherein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forinstance, the steps may be performed in a differing order or steps maybe added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered apart of the claimed invention.

While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been described, itwill be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in thefuture, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall withinthe scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construedto maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a declarativespecification that includes a plurality of stages, each stage specifiesan atomic operation, a data input to the atomic operation, and a dataoutput from the atomic operation, the data input is characterized by adata type; generating links between at least two of the stages to createa data integration workflow; and compiling, on a computer, the dataintegration workflow to generate computer code for execution on aparallel processing platform, the computer code configured to perform atleast one of data preparation and data analysis.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising executing the computer code on the parallelprocessing platform.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the declarativespecification is received from a user via a user interface screen. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the computer code is a MapReduceapplication.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising optimizing thecomputer code for execution on the parallel processing platform.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the data type includes at least one ofstructured data, semi-structured data, and unstructured data.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of stages inthe data integration workflow have data inputs characterized bydifferent data types.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the datainputs to each of the stages are characterized by a data type ofunstructured.
 9. A system, comprising: a computer processor; and logicexecutable by the computer processor, the logic configured to implementa method, the method comprising: receiving a declarative specificationthat includes a plurality of stages, each stage specifies an atomicoperation, a data input to the atomic operation, and a data output fromthe atomic operation, the data input is characterized by a data type;generating links between at least two of the stages to create a dataintegration workflow; and compiling the data integration workflow togenerate computer code for execution on a parallel processing platform,the computer code configured to perform at least one of data preparationand data analysis.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the method furthercomprises executing the computer code on the parallel processingplatform.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the declarativespecification is received from a user via a user interface screen. 12.The system of claim 9, wherein the computer code is a MapReduceapplication.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the method furthercomprises optimizing the computer code for execution on the parallelprocessing platform.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the data typeincludes at least one of structured data, semi-structured data, andunstructured data.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein at least two ofthe stages in the data integration workflow have data inputscharacterized by different data types.
 16. The system of claim 9,wherein each of the data inputs to each of the stages are characterizedby a data type of unstructured.
 17. A computer program productcomprising a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuitand storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit forperforming a method comprising: receiving a declarative specificationthat includes a plurality of stages, each stage specifies an atomicoperation, a data input to the atomic operation, and a data output fromthe atomic operation, the data input is characterized by a data type;generating links between at least two of the stages to create a dataintegration workflow; and compiling the data integration workflow togenerate computer code for execution on a parallel processing platform,the computer code configured to perform at least one of data preparationand data analysis.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17, whereinthe method further comprises executing the computer code on the parallelprocessing platform.
 19. The computer program product of claim 17,wherein the declarative specification is received from a user via a userinterface screen.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17, whereinthe computer code is a MapReduce application.
 21. The computer programproduct of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises optimizing thecomputer code for execution on the parallel processing platform.
 22. Thecomputer program product of claim 17, wherein the data type includes atleast one of structured data, semi-structured data, and unstructureddata.
 23. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein at least oneof the stages in the data integration workflow has a plurality of datainputs characterized by different data types.
 24. The computer programproduct of claim 17, wherein each of the data inputs to each of thestages is characterized by a data type of unstructured.